Saturday, August 25, 2012

Note - This NickALive! blog post contains spoilers about Nickelodeon's Fruit Shoot Skills Awards 2012, such as which extremely talented nominees won Golden Skillie Awards, that some NickALive! readers may prefer to avoid. Please scroll down the page if you wish to continue.

The Skillies Awards, which took place on Saturday 21st July 2012, was a day to remember - and not just for the nominees! Nickelodeon and Fruit Shoot took over the Birmingham ICC for a day of crazy-skills, awesome showcases and celebrity appearances that wowed the crowds!

The day kicked off with Nickelodeon and Fruit Shoot's Pre-show Skills Fair activities outside the ICC where guests learnt to master various 'Skill Stations' themselves! Guests honed their skills on snowboarding simulators, surf simulators, penalty shoot out goals, and basket ball mini-clinics. Plus, Nickelodeon presenters Helena Dowling and Nigel Clarke taught visitors flash mob dancing and learnt a few skills of their own from Nick's coaches on Nickelodeon's outdoor stage. Nickelodeon even saw some guests' skills as visitors went onto the stage and performed to the crowds!

While filming on the set of "Camp Orange: The Lost Kingdom", Nickelodeon UK presenters Anna Williamson & Jamie Rickers received a telephone call asking them to present Nickelodeon's Fruit Shoot Skills Awards 2012, who then had to demonstrate they had what it took to present the live awards show by wowing Nickelodeon viewers with their impressive skills, all while running from Australia to Birmingham, UK.

The doors to the main event opened and Nickelodeon's Jamie and Anna hosted the Live Awards show where everyone's online votes determined which nominees took home the coveted Golden Skillie Awards!

Nickelodeon rocked the main stage with exclusive performances from "The Voice" finalist Tyler James, who sung "Higher Love", guitar pop band "Lawson", who performed "Taking Over Me", and X Factor Finalist Amelia Lily, who sung "You Bring Me Joy". Plus amongst those presenting Nickelodeon and Fruit Shoot's coveted Golden Skillie Awards were singer-songwriter Pixie Lott and dancer choreographer Kimberly Wyatt. The audience were wowed by a showcase of performances from some of Nickelodeon and Fruit Shoot's very talented nominees and it wouldn't have been Nickelodeon without some Slime obviously!

11-year-old Essex Freestyle Street Dancer Arizona Snow won the Golden Skillie Award in the Coolest Moves category, the award for the person with all the skills to pay the bills, which was handed to her by Nickelodeon UK star Joe Swash (from "LOL: Laugh Out Loud") and MTV Europe's Irish television presenter Laura Whitmore.

Nickelodeon and Fruit Shoot's "Best Trick" Golden Skillie Award, the award for the most mind-blowing trick, was won by 9-year-old professional magician Morgan Price, who became the youngest professional magician at the age of 6, which was awarded to her by Nickelodeon and "House of Anubis" Stars Brad Kavanagh (Fabian Rutter), Alex Sawyer (Alfie Lewis) and Tasie Dhanraj (Mara Jaffray).

9-year-old Sheffield gymnast Samuel Ramos, is set to become one of Britain's most promising Olympic Gymnasts, won the Golden Skillie Award for "Rising Sports Star", the award is for the Sport Star of tomorrow, which was presented to by Hollyoaks stars Stephanie Davies and Steven Roberts.

Nickelodeon and Fruit Shoot's "Rising Music Star" Golden Skillie Award, the Skillie Award that celebrates the slickest young Musicians out there ready and waiting to rock out in front of thousands of fans on stage, was won by James Bell, The Little Master of the Six-String who is set on Stage stardom, which was awarded to him by singer and songwriter Pixie Lott.

Nickelodeon and Fruit Shoot's "Fruit Shoot Inspiration" Golden Skillie Award, the Skillie Award for the most inspirational young person who has not only achieved so much with their own talent and determination, but also inspires others to work hard and play hard, was won by 17-year-old fundraiser and sports coach Cameron Foster, who, at the age of 9, suffered serious injuries from a skiing accident, and spent 6 weeks in a wheelchair. That time made him realise just how difficult it must be for people suffering from disabilities to play and fully enjoy sports. He was inspired to raise money for his local Disability Sports Organisation, and his charity work hasn't stopped since! So far he has raised approximately £15,000 for specialist sports equipment for disabled people, with countless sponsored runs, walks, and even abseiling down Manchester United's Football Stadium! He also puts his own sporting prowess to use and works with able-bodied and disabled young people as a volunteer coach with local Karate, Basketball, and Cricket Clubs!

Nickelodeon and Fruit Shoot's "The Big Talent Award" Golden Skillie Award, an award for the group of young athletes that Nickelodeon viewers feel demonstrates the best teamwork, collaboration and commitment to getting the job done, in style, was won by "Unity All-stars", a London, UK-based Cheerleading team who are two-time National Champions. With young athletes ranging from 10 years old through to 15 years old, their dedication to delivering International level Jazz Hands never falters!